Expect the expense of getting hitched to continue upward, reflecting both rising financial confidence among couples and their parents and rising prices for wedding essentials -- everything from gold and platinum to hot hors d'oeuvres.

Wedded bliss for less

The place: Since the venue (including food) amounts to 45% of average costs, look for nontraditional, cheaper locales: a historic building, perhaps, or a civic garden, says wedding how-to author Sharon Naylor.